Hey, readers! I hope you all are doing great in your lives. (Agar nahi toh koi baat nahi… kahani apni hai, pasand nahi aayi toh ending change kar denge.) Yes, this is my only motivation to crack India’s toughest exams: JEE and NDA in the same year.

I am from a middle-class nuclear family, born and brought up in Delhi. I was not a good student until my twelfth grade. Yes, it’s true.

One day, my father asked me about my plans for the future. I remember being a jolly kid who enjoyed school and had average grades. I thought about it and decided that I needed to do something significant.

So, I took a gap year and started preparing for the NDA (National Defence Academy). I did all the necessary things for my exam preparation, and during this time, I met a girl who is now my best friend. Hoo…

In this short span, I don’t know how I managed all this. I used to go to the library at 5 AM and come back home for breakfast at 9 AM, traveling 3 km on foot. Then, it was back to the library and the same routine all over again. I used to study 10 hours a day, solving more previous year questions (PYQs) and focusing on scoring subjects to excel in the exams. I also avoided fast food because health is the most important thing during the preparation journey. And yeah, that’s all about my preparation journey.

Books I read:

• NDA: Pathfinder, Arihant’s 30 years PYQ
• JEE: Cengage, Arihant JEE Advanced book series (PCMB). For PYQs, you can go with any publication, but I prefer Arihant.

On the day of the NDA exam: I was ready to take the exam, having done all the right things and checked all the boxes. My mom was very worried about me, especially since it was my first time traveling alone. I went to the center while chanting God’s name. Before entering the gate, I looked at my wallet and saw my parents’ picture. I told myself, “Beta, yahi time hai, proud feel karwane ka.” (This is the time to make them proud.)

The exam was over, and yes, it was a bit tough. In the NDA exam, we all know how the questions are asked and what the approach is. I did Maths first, then English, and then General Studies.

For JEE: I did Chemistry first, then Physics, and then Maths because it boosted my confidence! The exam was good. Maths was lengthy for sure, Physics was moderate, and Chemistry was very easy for me (personal opinion).

Results day: The results were announced in PDF format. Initially, I checked my roll number wrongly; mine was 89, but I checked 98. I told my dad I didn’t make it. Later, my brother asked for my admit card, checked, and said, “Ho gaya!” (You did it!). My mother cried, my father cheered, and I was like, “Kya ye sach hai?” (Is this real?).

I also took the JEE and cleared JEE Mains, but I missed the Advanced by just one mark. But it’s okay.

Conclusion: When you think you’re in a bad situation and no one is going to help you, think again. Is this really me? I am the creator of this situation, and I am going to break it. Turn your lamp on, sit down, and prepare for a war. I know, champs, you will definitely make it—not today, but one day.